Discuss the Politics, Economics, and Events of the New New York 23rd Congressional District (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, (Eastern) Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, and Yates Counties)

The following is a list of the Voiceovers (Script), Visuals (description of what is seen) and Backups (background and sources supporting ad’s claims) of Martha Robertson’s first televised political ad. This information was received from the Robertson campaign via email.

The ad has already been criticized by an ultra-conservative blog, saying that it uses an unflattering picture of Rep. Reed, but did not question its content. The ad repeats, and justifies, the claim that Rep. Reed has assets more than $1 million, which has been denied by Reed supporters (and reported by New NY23rd.)

An analysis of the territorial tax system by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that this reform would ship jobs overseas. Specifically, CBPP found that: The proposal to move the U.S. system to a territorial one would create several major problems:

First, a territorial system would create greater incentives for U.S.-based multinationals to invest and book profits overseas rather than at home.

Second, by encouraging capital to flow overseas, a territorial system would risk reducing wages at home.

Third, a territorial tax system would risk higher budget deficits by draining revenues from the corporate income tax.

Fourth, a territorial system would risk higher taxes on smaller businesses and domestic businesses. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1/31/13]

3. VOICE OVER: Then voted to raise the Social Security retirement age on us.

VISUAL:REED RAISED THE SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT AGE FOR US

SRC: H Con Res 112, Vote #145, 3/28/12

BACKUP: Supported Budget Based on Simpson-Bowles Compromise. In March 2012, Reed voted for a budget alternative based on the Simpson-Bowles commission, which would allow cuts to Social Security. The budget failed. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2/17/11; H Con Res 112, Vote #145, 3/28/12]

Increased Retirement Age Amounts to “Across the Board Cut in Benefits”. The Simpson-Bowles commission proposed increasing the retirement age, which would amount to “across the board cut in benefits for all retirees regardless of the age at which they file.”

Under the plan, a one year increase in the full retirement age is equivalent to a roughly seven percent in monthly benefits for all retirees who are affected.

By 2070, the full retirement age would be 69 and the earliest age of eligibility would be 64. For someone reaching 62 in that year whose full retirement age would otherwise be 67 under current law, that translates into a benefit reduction of about 14 percent. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2/17/11]

4. VOICE OVER: Reed also voted to raise middle class taxes on us by two thousand dollars.

BACKUP: Voted for the Republican Budget for Fiscal Year 2015. In April 2014, Reed voted for the Republican budget for fiscal year 2015. [H Con Res 96, Vote #177, 4/10/14]

White House: Republican Budget Would Raise Taxes on the Middle Class by $2,000. “House Republicans this week are voting on a budget that protects tax breaks for the wealthiest rather than create opportunities for middle-class families to get ahead. It is the same old top-down approach and would raise taxes on middle-class families with children by an average of at least $2,000 in order to cut taxes for households with incomes over $1 million.” [White House, 4/09/14].

BACKUP: Voted for the Republican Budget for Fiscal Year 2015. In April 2014, Reed voted for the Republican budget for fiscal year 2015. [H Con Res 96, Vote #177, 4/10/14]

White House: Republican Budget Would Give Millionaires an $87,000 Tax Cut. In April 2014, the White House reported that the Republican budget would give millionaires at least an $87,000 tax cut. [White House, 4/10/14]

Reed’s Total Assets Are Valued at Up to $1,245,800, Making Him a Millionaire According the Personal Financial Disclosure Forms that Reed is required to file as a member of Congress, he had assets worth up to $695,000 in the most recent reporting year – 2013. In addition, there are two properties held in his personal name (and not reported as assets) worth $550,800. The properties are 221 Washington St, Corning, NY, 14830 and 13404 A W Lake Rd in Pulteney, NY. [Reed Personal Financial Disclosure, 2013; Steuben County Real Property Search]

6. VOICE OVER: In Congress, Martha Robertson will make millionaires pay their fair share to ease the burden on the rest of us.

BACKUP: Supported Budget Based on Simpson-Bowles Compromise. In March 2012, Reed voted for a budget alternative based on the Simpson-Bowles commission, which would allow cuts to Social Security. The budget failed. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2/17/11; H Con Res 112, Vote #145, 3/28/12]

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About pystew

Retired Teacher, political science geek, village trustee. I lean a little left, but like a good political discussion. My blog, the New NY 23rd (http://newny23rd) is about discussing the issues facing the people of our new congressional district. Let's hear all sides of the issues, not just what the candidates want us to hear.

2 Responses to Robertson’s 1st Ad’s Script, Visuals, and Citations

While I’m against fat-shaming as another form of bullying, I think the ‘before’ photos of Tom ought to serve as a good reminder that he has had not one, but two life-saving surgeries with his taxpayer-funded insurance plan, while all the while voting to take health insurance away from his constituents, time after time after time. Which was the blog that was cranking about it? I do find it telling that they could only argue with the imagery, and not the facts.

I think it would be better if both candidates abstained from using each others photos, doctored or not. In this case, the photo in question served to divert the attention of some from the issues Martha sought to raise.